Corn kernel removing tool

ABSTRACT

The invention comprises a hand manipulated tool for removing kernels of corn from a cob and then for conveying the removed kernels to the mouth of the user for ingestion. The tool comprises a hand-held implement in fork-like form having two or more forwardly projecting tangs, said tangs having sharpened surfaces on certain portions thereof to provide an easy mode for cutting the kernels from the cob in response to an appropriate hand manipulation. The tool is combined with a longitudinally elongated bowl-like structure adapted to receive a cob of corn whereby the structure acts as a fixture to facilitate kernel removal. The bowl-like structure includes an aperture at one end arranged to receive an extension of the corn cob, the latter extending externally of the bowl-like structure to enable the manipulator to rotate the cob during kernal removal.

United States Patent [191 Falcone CORN KERNEL REMOVING TOOL [76] Inventor: Anthony J. Falcone, 5309 Ganoga Ave., Woodland Hills, Calif. 95695 22 Filed: 11:11.24, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 220,169

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 71,873, Sept. 14,

1970, abandoned.

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 2,595 12/1854 Great Britain 30/322 1451 Apr.23, 1974 Primary Examiner-Othell M. Simpson Assistant Examiner-J. C. Peters [57] ABSTRACT The invention comprises a hand manipulated tool for removing kernels of corn from a cob and then for conveying the removed kernels to the mouth of the user for ingestion. The tool comprises a hand-held implement in forklike form having two or more forwardly projecting tangs, said tangs having sharpened surfaces on certain portions thereof to provide an easy mode for cutting the kernels from the cob in response to an appropriate hand manipulation. The tool is combined with a longitudinally elongated bowl-like structure adapted to receive a cob of corn whereby the structure acts as a fixture tofacilitate kernel removal. The bowl-like structure includes an aperture at one end arranged to receive an extension of the corn cob, the latter extending externally of the bowl-like structure to enable the manipulator to rotate the cob during kernal removal.

3 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures Wmmwm m; I 7 3.805384. sum 1 BF 2 86mg )1 52, 62 Anthony J. Fqlcone, j INVENTOR.

" Fig. 6

ATTORNEY.

)ATEMTEDAPR 231974 3; 805384 SHEET 2 [1F 2 1 CORN KERNEL REMOVING TOOL This application is a continuation-in-part of my application Ser. No. 71,873, filed Sept. 14, 1970, and now abandoned.

The invention relates to a hand manipulated tool adapted to remove kernels from an ear of corn in an easy and facile manner and additionally combines a bowl-like fixture to facilitate kernel removal.

Corn has been a food staple on the American continent for literally centuries and even before the discovery of the American continent by the Europeans. Each succeeding wave of immigrants readily adapted corn as a table delicacy and furthermore its use as a food product has spreadthroughout the world. While it is true that corn may be served in a variety of ways, such as from cans or removed from the cob by hand and served in individual helpings, it is equally true that many users prefer to eat the corn kernels directly from the cooked cob asserting, in their opinion, that this mode of consuming the corn preserves its most delicious natural flavor and is therefore its most appetite appeasing state.

It is also a well-known fact that people who have had the misfortune of losing their natural teeth and of having to resort to dentures uniformly find that the consumption of corn kernels directly from the cob by mouth manipulation is a difficult and exasperating task. The jaw pressure required for such manipulation, for example, often dislodges the denture, resulting in discomfort and sometimes embarrassment for the user.

With this in mind, it is a primary object of the invention to provide a hand manipulated tool whereby the user may remove kernels from an ear of corn during the eating function.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a hand manipulated tool whereby the user may, during his meal, remove corn kernels directly from a cob and thereby enjoy eating the corn in its most natural and appetite appeasing state.

It is a specific object of the invention to provide a hand manipulating tool in fork-like confiurgation having certain tangs thereon sharpened to knife edges to afford an easy and quick mode of cutting the kernels directly from an ear of corn. The knife edges are combined with upper and lower smooth knife surfaces, the smooth surfaces being arranged to engage the users mouth thereby preventing accidental cutting injury to the user.

Yetanother object is to combine the manipulating tool with a bowl-like structure adapted to receive an ear of corn and thereby act as a supporting fixture to aid in kernel removal in a neat and genteel manner.

Still another object of the invention is to embody in the bowl-like structure means to accommodate an extension of the corn ear externally of the structure to enable the user to conveniently rotate the corn ear about its longitudinal axis during tool manipulation and kernel removal.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent in the course of the following description and from an examination of the related drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an article incorporating the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the structure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a slightly modified form of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the structure of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an ear of corn illustrating the mode of kernel removal by hand manipulating the tool;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a bowl-like structure adapted to be used as a corn ear receiving fixture to aid in kernel removal;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 8.

Directing attention to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, it will be seen that the implement shown has a general, fork-like configuration, and comprises a handle 10 which is grasped by the hand of the user in the conventional manner. Integrally connected to the handle 10 and projecting forwardly therefrom is a spoon-like portion 12 having a plurality of tangs 14, 16 and 18 formed therein and providing the forward terminal point of the implement. Of the embodiments herein illustrated, three tangs are shown. However, it will be understood that any number of tangs may be provided which suit the ultimate purpose of the invention, namely, the direct removal of kernels from an ear of corn.

Between each pair of tangs a generally V-shaped opening is provided. Said openings are designated by the numerals 20 and 22 in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 3. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 3 the V-shaped openings 20 and 22 are somewhat lop-sided; however, it will hereinafter be noted that in the subsequent embodiment they are not so deformed. The edges of tangs 14, 16 and 18 have been sharpened at their facing portion to provide knife edges as at 24, 26,

'28 and 30. An additional cutting edge maybe provided at 32 and 34which form the truncated terminating portions of the openings 20 and 22.

Directing attention to FIGS. 4 and 5, an alternate embodiment, again a handle 36 is provided which has attached thereto a forwardly projecting upwardly concave portion 38. Integrally formed within the portion 38 are forwardly projectingtangs 40, 42 and 44. The adjacent tangs form therebetween V-shaped openings 46 and 48. The edges of the tangs facing the openings 46 and 48 have again been sharpened to provide knifelike cutting edges 50,52, 54 and 56. In this embodiment the V-shaped openings 46 and 48 are substantially uniform.

Considering both embodiments it will be noted that the upper and lower surfaces of the portions 12 and 38 are relatively smooth, i.e., more specifically they are flat. It is these smooth surfaces that contact the user's mouth and thus prevent accidental cutting injury to the user.

Directing attention to FIG. 6, an implement of the invention here under consideration is shown at 58. A conventional ear of corn isfragmentarily shown at 60, said ear of corn having a plurality of kernels 62 attached thereto. By hand manipulating the tool 58, it will be seen that the tangs are forced under the kernels 62 and the knife edges formed by the tangs neatly sever the kernels from the cob 60. The implement 58 may then be used to manipulate the severed kernel to the mouth of the user.

To further enhance the utility of the herein disclosed invention a bowl-like structure 60 is provided and is shown in detail in H08. 7 through 10. The structure 60 comprises longitudinally elongated side walls 62 and 64 and opposed end walls 66 and 68. The walls collectively define a central cavity 70 adapted to conveniently receive an ear of com 72. An aperture 74 is provided in end wall 66 and another aperture 76 is provided in end wall 68. The apertures permit extensions of the corn car 72 to extend externally of the structure 60 to facilitate longitudinal rotation of the corn ear during kernel removal. The extensions of the corn ear may be conventional corn ear holder 78-78 as is shown in FIG. 10. It will be understood that the structure 60 acts as a convenient fixture to support the corn ear and facilitate kernel removal in a neat and genteel manner.

It will thus be apparent that the invention provides a method of enjoying kernel corn directly from the cob for those persons who desire to enjoy the distinctive'flavor of corn eaten directly from the cob but who have been forced by necessity of circumstance to use dentures for their normal eating requirement. Of course, the implement may equally well be used by anyone, such as, for example, a person who may feel that such removal of the kernel would be a more delicate way of approaching the eating function.

The invention is shown by way of illustration and not limitation and may be subject to various modifications all within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an eating arrangement for manually removing kernels from an ear of corn prior to placing the kernels in the users mouth, the combination of a bowl-like structure adapted to receive and cradle an ear of corn, aperture means to permit extensions of the corn ear to extend externally of the structure to permit convenient longitudinal rotation of the corn ear during kernel removal, a manually manipulatable eating implement for removing kernels directly from said corn ear, the implement comprising a handle, a forwardly projecting portion secured to the handle, a plurality of tangs formed in said portion, said tangs having knife edges formed on certain surfaces thereof, said knife edges being linear in form and defining V-shaped openings between the tangs both as seen in plan view, said knife edges being formed in the lower surface of the forward portion, the tangs and knife edges being operative to remove kernels from the structure supported corn ear by appropriate manipulation of the implement.

2. An eating arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said aperture means are formed in at least one end wall of the structure.

3. An eating arrangement according to claim 2,

wherein said aperture means are formed in both end walls of said structure. 

1. In an eating arrangement for manually removing kernels from an ear of corn prior to placing the kernels in the user''s mouth, the combination of a bowl-like structure adapted to receive and cradle an ear of corn, aperture means to permit extensions of the corn ear to extend externally of the structure to permit convenient longitudinal rotation of the corn ear during kernel removal, a manually manipulatable eating implement for removing kernels directly from said corn ear, the implement comprising a handle, a forwardly projecting portion secured to the handle, a plurality of tangs formed in said portion, said tangs having knife edges formed on certain surfaces thereof, said knife edges being linear in form and defining V-shaped openings between the tangs both as seen in plan view, said knife edges being formed in the lower surface of the forward portion, the tangs and knife edges being operative to remove kernels from the structure supported corn ear by appropriate manipulation of the implement.
 2. An eating arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said aperture means are formed in at least one end wall of the structure.
 3. An eating arrangement according to claim 2, wherein said aperture means are formed in both end walls of said structure. 